Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Good Things

While walking in sunshine the other day (before the storm, the rain, the clouds, and the rough seas), I was listening to music on my 15-year-old iPod. "Good Thing" by the Fine Young Cannibals came on. A great workout song.

I heard "Good thing, where have you gone?" and an image of my sister Dale flashed in my head.

I started crying.

I kept on walking at my vigourous, happy pace. I kept on crying.

It's been 36 years (March 7) since she died. My good thing, you've been gone too long.

Dale would have adored San Geraldo and these other two good things in my life.

It's. Odd how a,smell or song or memory will set another memory off. That happens periodically to me when I think of my grandmother. Meanwhile I've never been able to stomach Fine Young Cannibals. Have no idea why.

Travel:Every song connects me to something. And Dale was the one who introduced me to music. So, when I hear songs of the 50s and 60s, I am right back in her room with her listening to her records and being taught to dance.

I was not aware you had a sister. What you describe is the painful price we pay for loving someone; we miss them when they are gone. The Michael Fureys comeback to us upon the chance hearing of a tune.

I remember a long walk on a beach in Miami one March after work way back when with you, then sitting in the sugary sand, squinting at the sunlight dancing with the ocean waves, and you reminiscing about Dale and considering a shoulder tattoo in her honor.